Swapping Internal Hard Drives from one computer to another?

Question

I have 2 computers, a dell 5150c and a dell E521. I want to swap the hard drives round from the 5150c into the E521 and the E521's hard drive into the 5150c. How easy is it to do this or is there another easier way?

Answer 1

Why don't you just get yourself an External Harddrive ?

Answer 2

First step: Ensure all files are backed up. Make sure you have disks for all applications drivers and your operating system and your product keys.
Second step: Swap the drives, remember to ground yourself and be careful when you pull out the leads.
Third step: Hold [Del] key when booting to go into setup.
Auto Detect drives. Save and restart.
Fourth step: Follow the on-screen instructions carefully.
Fifth step: Re-install all applications and drivers. If necessary you can re-install windows 'on top' of the old installation. Then update drivers from the internet.

Good luck and hope I've helped.

Answer 3

2 problems: firstly the two computers will probably not have the same hardware set-up, so the windows will have the wrong driver sets. This will need a legal copy of the install disks to correct. Secondly the documents will be tied to the administrator of the original computer and may be difficult or impossible to access.

Answer 4

Not a good move to be honest.

You will encounter many hardware type failures not to mention many many Driver failures.

If the O/S is XP it may right it's self after many reboots. but still holds the risk of ending up with 2 none working PC's

Good luck as you will need it

Answer 5

you can do it no probelms but could come accros erros in windows boot when the hardware fails.

Easiest idea is to swap disks over and reinstall windows on both machines.

while this is the easiest way its not the best for preserving data.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

you will have many problems when you have switch them over with all the software compatibily.

The first time you boot into windows, it will give error after error of missing or incompatible hardware.

Best thing to do it to back everything up you need and format the things